Power Play: BJP Parliamentary Board Set to Meet on August 17 to Choose Vice President Candidate!
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is gearing up for a crucial meeting of its parliamentary board on Sunday, 17 August, to determine the party’s candidate for the forthcoming vice-presidential election. This decision comes in the wake of the Election Commission’s announcement regarding the 9 September vote, prompted by the resignation of incumbent Jagdeep Dhankhar on 4 August due to medical issues. Dhankhar’s abrupt departure has sparked a wave of political speculation, with discussions surrounding potential underlying factors contributing to his resignation.
In this upcoming election, the vice-president will be elected by members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, including those MPs who are nominated. The two Houses collectively hold an effective strength of 781 members, meaning that a candidate will require a minimum of 391 votes to emerge victorious, assuming full participation. Given that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) currently boasts around 422 MPs, the ruling coalition appears to have a considerable numerical edge as they prepare for the election.
On the other side, the opposition coalition, known as the INDIA bloc, is actively seeking to put forth a unified candidate. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has been reaching out to leaders from other opposition parties to build consensus on a potential nominee. Although formal meetings have yet to take place, backchannel discussions are actively progressing. Some members of the bloc suggest announcing a candidate only after the BJP discloses its choice, while others argue that the opposition should take a stand regardless, demonstrating their intent to contest the elections firmly.
The timeline for nominations is rapidly approaching, with the Election Commission setting 21 August as the deadline for filing nomination papers. These submissions will undergo scrutiny on 22 August, with 25 August marking the final day for candidates to withdraw their names from consideration. As of now, the returning officer, PC Mody, the Rajya Sabha secretary general, has received three nomination papers; however, all have been rejected due to non-compliance with procedural requirements.
In accordance with constitutional provisions, candidates vying for the vice-presidency must be at least 35 years old, be qualified to serve in the Rajya Sabha, and not hold any office of profit under the Union or state governments, or any local authority. In the event of a mid-term election-such as the current scenario-the elected candidate will serve a complete five-year term.
As the BJP and the opposition gear up for this significant electoral showdown, all eyes remain on the candidates and strategies being put into play. The outcomes of these elections will not only determine the future of the vice-presidency but could also have broader implications for the political landscape in India, setting the stage for forthcoming challenges and alliances. With key dates on the horizon, political factions are bracing themselves for a competitive battle, each eager to exert their influence over the upcoming parliamentary term.
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/bjp-parliamentary-board-to-meet-sunday-to-pick-vice-president-candidate-11755275611651.html
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Publish Date: 2025-08-15 22:04:00
